Grace College Offers Solutions for Orthopedic Community

July 2011: OrthoWorx eNewsletter

Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind. recognized educational needs that were not being met in the community and is providing solutions for them. Two new programs at Grace College, focusing on the orthopedics industry, evidence this. First is the Orthopaedic Regulatory and Clinical Affairs Graduate Program. The second is a partnership with Trine University to offer engineering degrees on the Grace College campus.

“We applaud the vision of Grace College for meeting these needs. Both programs were developed in conjunction with OrthoWorx’s Talent and Workforce Development Initiative (one of six initiatives that drive the organization). The Talent and Workforce Development Initiative focuses on identifying and resolving existing and anticipated gaps in talent and workforce needs of the evolving orthopedic industry,” states Brad Bishop, Executive Director of OrthoWorx.

The Orthopaedic Regulatory and Clinical Affairs Graduate Program

This premier program is the nation’s only graduate program designed specifically by and for orthopedic regulatory and clinical affairs professionals. “Students enrolled in the program that are already in the industry (two thirds of the class) are finding they immediately use what they are learning,” states Prof. Allyn Decker, Program Director.

It also serves those new to the industry or planning to enter the industry. “Those students outside of the industry find the program a valuable resource of information. It also provides opportunities to network and to learn from their cohorts,” continues Decker. He has observed a spirit of teamwork, industry focused—not company focused, among the students.

The program was created through a partnership with OrthoWorx and the orthopedic industry. Decker is impressed with the professors teaching the program’s courses. The staff is rich in human capital and reflects the Orthopedics Capital of the World. Industry representatives, medical doctors, a registered nurse and international business experts serve on the staff.

Program enrollment exceeded projections by 50 percent. “The format works well for professionals and is focused on adult learning. The middle weekends of the month are class sessions, held at the Orthopaedic Capital Center (1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays). Month long, the students access materials and submit course work online. It is somewhat a self-paced program,” states Decker.

Applications for the 2012-2013 program are being accepted for consideration, and open enrollment begins January 2012.
More information is available here.

Partnership Brings Engineering Program to Grace College

Beginning this fall Grace College, in partnership with Trine University, will offer engineering degrees on the Grace College campus. This is possible through a recently announced partnership between Grace and Trine. Both entities recognized the opportunity to better serve the community and adopted a new educational model for an enhanced educational system.

This model will allow students at Grace to graduate with a degree from Trine University. “This is an opportunity for people who would have considered coming to Grace if we had offered engineering,” says Grace President Ronald Manahan, Th.D. “They can come to Grace, live here on campus for all four years and get the Grace experience with the Trine degree in engineering,” adds Manahan.

Trine’s engineering programs will include a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in biomedical engineering management, civil engineering management and mechanical engineering management. Additionally, Trine will offer a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology. Trine will also offer two master degrees: a Master of Engineering (online only) and a Master of Science in Leadership with concentrations in biomedical and regulatory affairs.

Both schools are independent colleges. Grace traditionally holds a more liberal arts focus. Trine has a long history in the professional fields, especially engineering. “On Trine’s side, it extends the reach of their campus by using the very thing they specialize in, while Grace is now able to offer students additional programs,” states Manahan.

Earl D. Brooks, II, Ph.D., President of Trine University comments, “The biomedical corridor in northeast Indiana is the largest in the world, and we are excited to work together to bring as much talent as possible to this area to better support the needs of one of the fastest growing business sectors in Indiana and around the world today.”

More information about the engineering degrees offered at Grace College is available here.